STOCKTAKE

OF AUSTRALIA – EU COOPERATION AND DIALOGUE

UNDER THE 1997 JOINT DECLARATION ON RELATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION SIGNED ON 26 JUNE 1997

UPDATED TO 18 MAY 2004

Joint Declaration Item	Engagement to date
Dialogue and Cooperation
	Prime Minister, John Howard, visit to Brussels in July 2002. Total number of consultations with the EU Presidency since 26 June 1997 = 13. Total number of annual Ministerial Consultations, Senior Officials’ and ATMEG meetings since 26 June 1997 = 21. Total number of Australian Ministerial visits to Brussels and European Commissioner visits to Australia since 26 June 1997 = 33. Total number of Parliamentary Delegation visits since 26 June 1997 = 4. Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions* - · Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, visits to Brussels in May 2004, January 2003, April 2002, January 2000 and February 1999; and visit to Luxembourg in June 1997 to sign the Joint Declaration. · Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, visit to Brussels in May 2004. · Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson, and Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Philip Ruddock, visit to Brussels in April 2002 to attend Ministerial Consultations. · European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, visits to Australia in April 2003 and 2001 to attend Ministerial Consultations. · European Commissioner for Development, Poul Nielson, visits to Australia in October 2002 and January 2004. · Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Tim Fischer, visits to Brussels in May 1999 and September 1997 to attend Ministerial Consultations. · Vice President of the European Commission, Sir Leon Brittan, visit to Australia in June 1998 to attend Ministerial Consultations. Parliamentary Delegations – · Australian Parliamentary Delegation led by the President of the Senate, Senator the Hon Paul Calvert, visit to Strasbourg and Brussels in April 2004. · Australian Parliamentary Delegation led by The Speaker, House of Representatives, Neil Andrew, visit to Brussels in September 2002. · European Parliamentary Delegation visit to Australia in May 2001. · Australian Parliamentary Delegation led by the Hon Bruce Baird visit to Brussels in 2000.

The protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In this respect we will consult bilaterally and within the framework of the relevant bodies of the UN, especially the UN Commission on Human Rights, on human rights issues in general and, in particular, on how to advance our shared objectives of promoting human rights internationally	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions
Issues which affect world peace and security, including non-military threats to security such as terrorism, the fight against organised crime, and the illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Minister/Commissioner visits – · Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, held talks with European High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, in Berlin in March 2004, in Davos in January 2004, and in Brussels in January 2003. · Attorney-General, Darryl Williams, held talks with Commissioner for Internal Market, Frederik Bolkestein, and members of the European Parliament in Brussels in September/October 2003. · Minister for Justice and Customs, Amanda Vanstone, visit to Brussels in April 2000. Australia-EU Strategic Dialogue - first high level officials’ dialogue held in March 2002 in Brussels. Second round of dialogue held in Brussels in March 2004. EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Cooperation Initiative (NDCI) Conference - Australian participation at officials’ level in Brussels in December 2002. Commonwealth law enforcement agencies cooperation with European counterparts - Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs officers posted in Europe. Their presence facilitates a significant amount of cooperation in investigations characterised as transnational, particularly drug trafficking. Bilateral Customs agreements have been negotiated with European Customs administrations to facilitate exchange of information relevant to such investigations. Australian Customs - maintains contacts with European Customs administrations and the European Commission on a range of matters including Customs reform & modernisation, Customs harmonisation and Customs involvement in counter terrorism. The focus for Australian Customs discussions with the Commission since early 2003 has been to negotiate an ‘adequacy’ finding for Australian Customs procedures for online access to airline databases to allow risk assessment of ‘high risk’ passengers. The World Customs Organisation is located in Brussels and Australian Customs plays a significant role in its activities, contributing to setting global standards for data harmonisation, risk assessment and supply chain security management.
Means of strengthening the UN and other international organisations and improving their effectiveness	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions
The promotion, in full respect of international laws and treaties, of peace, stability and prosperity in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Australia-EU Troika Talks on Asia – senior officials’ talks agreed to at the Ministerial Consultations with the EU Presidency in January 1998. Annual talks commenced in May 1998. Six rounds have been held. The last round was held in April 2003.
Migration, asylum and refugee protection issues	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Minister/Commissioner visits – · Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Philip Ruddock, held talks with Commissioner for External Affairs, Chris Patten, in April 2003 and April 2001 in Canberra, and in April 2002 in Brussels. He also met with Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, Antonio Vitorino, in April 2002. · Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Philip Ruddock, visits to Brussels in March and January 2000, and in Paris in July 2000, for high level discussions with EU officials. Also consultations with the Danish EU Presidency in 2002. Senior officials’ level dialogue on immigration and asylum issues between Australia and the EU - agreed to at the 2002 Ministerial Consultations in Brussels. The first round of talks was held in Brussels in July 2002, and the second round was held in Brussels in June 2003.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
	Minister/Commissioner visits – · Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, visits to Brussels in May 2004, May 2002, May 2001, July 2000 and October 1999. · European Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy, visits to Australia in November 2002 to attend the Informal WTO Ministerial Meeting in Sydney, and July 2002. · Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson visit to Brussels in April 2002. · Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Ian MacDonald, visit to Brussels in September 2000. · Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Warren Truss, visit to Brussels in November 1999. · Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senartor Alston visited Brussels and the EU accession countries in February 2003. Senior Officials’ visits – · Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry visit to Brussels in December 2003, October 2002 and July 2001. · Chief Executive Officer, Australian Customs visit to Brussels in June 2003, 2002, 2001 – to attend the annual Council sessions of the World Customs Organisation. · Chief Veterinary Officer visit to Brussels in December 2003 and July 2001. · Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, visit to Brussels in November 2003. · Chairman, Australian Financial Reporting Council visits to Brussels in October and April 2002. · Executive Director, Australian Treasury, Dr Martin Parkinson, visit to Brussels in March 2004 · Deputy Director General, European Central Bank meeting with Assistant Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia in August 2002. · Chief Executive Officer, The National Office for the Information Economy visit to Brussels in July 2002. · Executive Director, Australa Greenhous Office, visit to Brussels in October 2003. Special Visits Program – Head of Unit, Directorate-General Internal Market, Pierre Delsaux, visit to Australia in November 2003. Adviser to President Romano Prodi, Alex Stubb, visit to Australia in March 2003. Director-General Agriculture, José Manuel Silva Rodriguez, visit to Australia in March 2002. Europe-Australia Business Dialogue (The Global Foundation) - held at regular intervals, often in conjunction with government-to-government meetings; last discussions with the European Commission held in Brussels in July 2002. Department of Transport and Regional Services and DG Energy and Transport - talks on EC-Australia cooperation on international aviation matters. Previous talks held November 2002. Trilateral (Australia/New Zealand/Singapore) discussions with DG Energy and Transport in Brussels in October 2003, and in Singapore in May 2004. Regular dialogue between Department of the Treasury and the Economic and Financial Affairs Directorate.
Devote attention, in the area of services, to examine opportunities in the sectors of telecommunications, financial, maritime and professional services, on the basis of liberal and non-discriminatory principles	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions
Strengthen our bilateral dialogue on matters such as barriers to trade and trade facilitation, the protection of traditional expressions as provided for in the Wine Agreement, customs cooperation, standards and certification, public procurement access, the protection of geographical indications in conformity with the WTO TRIPS Agreement, as well as on veterinary, sanitary and phytosanitary matters	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Agreement on Trade in Wine, protocol and six exchanges of letters (1994) - ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the Committee established under the Agreement on a range of issues, including the phase out of dates for certain geographical indications and on protection for traditional expressions; last negotiations held in Brussels in April 2004. Agreement on Mutual Recognition in Relation to Conformity Assessment, Certificates and Markings - signed on 24 June 1998, providing for mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment, certificates and markings between Australia and the European Community in the eight sectors of Medicinal Products Good Manufacturing Practice Inspection and Batch Certification (implemented 1 January 1999), Medical Devices (implemented 1 January 1999), Telecommunications Terminal Equipment, Low Voltage Equipment, Electromagnetic Compatibility, Machinery, Pressure Equipment, Automotive Products. Regular Joint Committee meeting last held in Wellington, New Zealand in October 2002. SPS/Quarantine discussions - agreed to at the Quint meeting of Agricultural Ministers in July 2002, and held in Brussels in October 2002. Draft Agreement on Sanitary Measures applicable to Trade in Live Animals and Animal Products - not finalised. Food Safety exchange program between Australia and the European Commission - an Australian FSANZ officer was placed in the European Commission in 2001.
Promote contacts and cooperation on agriculture and fisheries, and examine in a spirit of cooperation and good will the opportunities in our trade in agriculture and fisheries products	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Agricultural Trade and Marketing Experts’ Group (ATMEG) - meetings held annually at senior officials’ level with the European Commission; metings held in conjunction with the annual Senior Officials’ Meeting.
Exchange information and encourage cooperation on industry, including information technology, mining, transport and energy, and, as appropriate, on aspects of our policies such as those related to competition and consumer protection.	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Minister/Commissioner visits – Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, visit to Brussels in March 2003. Data Protection - ongoing discussions on data protection arrangements. Last talks held in March 2002. Peter Ford, then Acting Deputy Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department, visited Brussels in October 2003. Joint Statement on Cooperation in the Global Information Economy between Australia and the European Union - signed at the Ministerial Consultations in Canberra in April 2001; progress report tabled at the 2002 Ministerial Consultations. Coal Experts’ Meeting held in Brussels in October 2003. Coal Agreement - negotiated in 1993, reviewed in 2000 and extended until 31 December 2002. The Agreement established a High Level Group on Energy, providing a forum for the exchange of views relating to the international and domestic energy scene. The group met only once. EU-Australia Coal Conference held at Aachen, Germany in September 2001. Regular bilateral consultations to ensure the satisfactory implementation of the Euratom/Australia Agreement. Consumer Protection Arrangement - signed in Brussels on 21 March 2002. Regular cooperation on consumer protection issues between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Competition Directorate of the European Commission.
Employment
Exchange views on our experience and ideas [of creating employment opportunities] in this respect and will endevour to strengthen cooperation in the relevant fora such as OECD and ILO	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work - strong cooperative relationship including development of joint web site (www.nohsc-eu.gov.au) launched in July 2001 to promote information sharing on current health and safety topics. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work - sought and granted permission in January 2002 to use Australian Occupational Health and Safety Thesaurus as the basis for development of a multilingual thesaurus of occupational safety and health terms in the official EU languages.
Scientific and Cultural Cooperation
Strengthening our mutual cooperation in the fields of education and training, science and technology including the information society	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Minister/Commissioner visits – · Commissioner for Education and Culture, Viviane Reding, visit to Australia in September 2000. Senior Officals’ visits – · DG Research Delegation visit to Canberra in November 2003. · Australian Gene Technology Regulator visit to Brussels in October 2002. 1997 Exchange of Letters - recorded the common understanding on the principles of international cooperation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems between the European Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland. Agreement Relating to Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Australia and the EU (1994/1995) - amended in 1999 to enable Australians to participate in the EU Framework Programs. Number of projects under the Fourth Framework Program (1994-1998) = 34. Number of projects under the Fifth Framework Program (1998–2002) = 55. The Sixth Framework Program launched in Brussels in November 2002 and attended by an Australian delegation. An Australian Counsellor for Education and Science and Training for Europe to be established in July 2004 (to be based in Brussels). National Health and Medical Research Council - established a fund to support Australian participation in projects selected under the Framework Programs. Joint Science and Technology Consultative Committee - established under the Cooperation Agreement to meet alternately in Brussels and Canberra, as required, to discuss issues of mutual interest. It has met seven times, the last meeting was held in Canberra in November 2003. The eighth JSTCC will be held in Brussels in October 2004. Forum for European-Australia Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST) - launched on 9 November 2000 to highlight science, engineering and technology cooperation. The first event was held in Canberra on 30-31May 2001; FEAST2 was held in Melbourne on 8 July 2002; FEAST3 was held in Australia as a roadshow from November 2002 to March 2003; FEAST 4 was held in Canberra in November 2003. The European Commission is conducting an evaluation of FEAST to determine whether it has strengthened EU-Australia S&T cooperation and to what extent, to formulate recommendations to implement similar mechanisms in other non-EU countries, and to ascertain the extent of Commission participation. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses - agreement by the West Australian Government and European Commission in August 2002 to share research information on trials of hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses. Galileo satellite system - Australian GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Coordination Committee and Department of Transport and Regional Services officials’ discussions with European Commission on cooperation in development of Galileo in April 2002. Consultations on the draft MOU are continuing. European Union S&T related events – a number of Australian delegations participated in EU S&T activities with government support, eg, support for the Australia-European Union Nanotechnology Capabilities Workshop held in November 2003.
Providing support to actions that further develop our links in the fields of communication, information, culture and education, including academic and youth exchanges	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Australia-European Union Pilot Project on Higher Education Cooperation - agreement reached in February 2004 to commence a third pilot project involving exchange of Masters degree students between a number of selected Australian and European universities. Applications close on 16 June with the winning proposal to be announced in July 2004. This follows early indications of success in the first pilot project – Learning through Exchange – Agriculture, Food Systems and Environment (LEAFSE) which was launched in November 2002 involving 72 students studying abroad. The second pilot – a three-year Coursework Masters Exchange Programme in International Relations: A European-Australia Asia Pacific Nexus (EAAPN) - commenced in April 2004 and will extend over three years. National Europe Centre - proposal to create a National Europe Centre (NEC) at the Australian National University (ANU) received formal political agreement at 2001 Ministerial Consultations. In April 2001 the European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten announced an initial grant, spread over three years, of €740,000, with matching funding from ANU. Recent major events include conferences on enlargement, agriculture, environment and financial services.
Exchanging expertise and information including on the recognition of academic qualifications, new educational technologies, and partnerships between education and training institutions and practitioners	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Australian membership of ENIC-NARIC (European Network of Information Centres-National Academic Recognition Information Centres) (European electronic academic recognition network).
Environment
We confirm that we will continue and strengthen our cooperation on environmental matters, both bilaterally and through international agreements and conventions	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Minister/Commissioner visits – · Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, meeting with European Commissioner for Environment, Margot Wallstrom, in Brussels in July and February 2002. · European Commissioner for Environment, Margot Wallstrom, led a high level EU mission to Australia in July 2001 and met with Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Robert Hill. Second round of high level environment consultations in May 2000 in Brussels and third round held in Canberra in November 2003. Joint Experts’ Seminar on the Integration of the Economy and Environment - arose from 1998 talks and held in Canberra in October 1999. Exchange of Letters (1991) established a framework for collaboration and dialogue between Australia and the EC - bilateral talks on environmental issues were held in May 1998 in Australia with then Director-General Environment, Jim Currie. Exchange of Letters (1997) regarding Euratom/Australia Cooperation Agreement and the return of plutonium to Japan.
Development Cooperation
We attach a high priority to our respective policies to help developing countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development and to alleviate poverty. In order to better achieve our common objectives, we will, as far as possible, coordinate our efforts and exchange pertinent information to this effect, in particular as regards the South Pacific region.	* Covered by Ministerial Consultations and overarching discussions Minister/Commissioner visits – · European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, visit to Australia in January 2004 and October 2002. · Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, meeting with Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, in Brussels in April 2002. Senior Officials’ visits – Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, meeting with Commissioner Neilson’s Chief of Staff on 13 November 2003. Director-General, Australian Agency for International Development meetings with European Commission Director General Development in April 2004, May 2002, and with European Council and Commission in Brussels in December 2000. Director-General, Australian Agency for International Development visits to Brussels in December 2002 and April 2001. Development Cooperation - intensification of (ad hoc) talks held between AusAID and European Commission agreed to at 2002 Ministerial Consultations. First round of senior officials’ level talks held on 19 April 2004 in Brussels.